[johnnyanmac]

>Why are passions not critical?

Maslow's hierarchy is discredited but it works enough for this simple model. I feel I explained this well enough. If I struggle to keep paying rent (housing and security, the second layer), why would I place my passions, my esteem 2 levels up, over that?

It's possible to be happy and homeless, but not likely. I can't dance well if I'm hungry on the streets.

>Nobody really needs food (or food-culture) to be kept alive

Your biology disagrees, but I wish you the best of luck.

Food culture is the third level, belonging. I'd say it's more critical than your passions, but that's definitely where the pyramid starts to get hazy (hence the discreditation). You can argue a dance culture, but everyone eats food. Not everyone dances.